So I took Katherine to the allergist yesterday because she is constantly rubbing her nose and complaining that it is runny. Turns out she is allergic to trees, grass, dust, dogs, cats, guinea pigs, horses, and possibly peanuts and almonds. The doctor put her on medicine and a regimen washing out her nose. She is okay with taking the medicine but when it comes to squirting salt water up her nose, she pretty much acted like I was drowning her. In her defense, she was and has been pretty willing to try everything at least once because she is so anxious about having allergies.
Looking back, I kinda wish I had asked the doctor to tell me about her allergies out of ear shot because Katherine is my child that has major anxiety issues and obsesses about health and safety. On the way home she wouldn't stop worrying about things like being able to get out of the car because of the grass or what she would be able to eat. I showed her how to read the labels on things but she is taking the peanut part of the issue to the extreme. I am not even sure about that one since she has been eating peanuts and peanut butter her whole life with no apparent adverse affects.
The other problems come in the forms of our pets. We have a big yellow lab and a long-haired guinea pig. We will have to make some major adjustments in order to keep them and maintain a happy healthy environment for Kate. Yep, that is just what I needed, more cleaning :)
I have to say that I am glad I went. Knowing is better than not. I am just hoping that I can calm Katherine down enough so she is not so stressed all the time.
Thursday, September 29, 2011
Wednesday, September 28, 2011
Going to the Neurologist
Yesterday I got to take my oldest to the pediatric neurologist. Brittany was diagnosed with Aspergers in May of 2010 at the end of her fourth grade year but unlike Mary, just under her, she has never received services for having a diagnosis. So this was a big step towards getting her the help she needs.
One thing I appreciate with Brittany is that I don't have to explain her to anybody. She is highly verbal and isn't shy. It makes appointments like this almost gratifying or at very least validating. When she talks to the doctors and obsesses on how much she likes and knows about cats, for instance, while bouncing around the whole room messing with this or that, it pretty much verifies her diagnosis without me saying a word about it. It is much more difficult with her less verbal, shy sisters.
Even though the neurologist has no doubt about the diagnosis, she has order a slew of tests to be done from an EKG to an MRI to a sleep study. Not sure what we'll find out at the end of all of this and I'm wondering if the same protocol is going to be followed for my other two. They get seen next week. Oh joy!
One thing I appreciate with Brittany is that I don't have to explain her to anybody. She is highly verbal and isn't shy. It makes appointments like this almost gratifying or at very least validating. When she talks to the doctors and obsesses on how much she likes and knows about cats, for instance, while bouncing around the whole room messing with this or that, it pretty much verifies her diagnosis without me saying a word about it. It is much more difficult with her less verbal, shy sisters.
Even though the neurologist has no doubt about the diagnosis, she has order a slew of tests to be done from an EKG to an MRI to a sleep study. Not sure what we'll find out at the end of all of this and I'm wondering if the same protocol is going to be followed for my other two. They get seen next week. Oh joy!
Monday, September 26, 2011
Hello, Whatya doing?
About 3 years ago, my second daughter got diagnosed with Pervasive Development Disorder-Not otherwise specified (PDD-NOS) and my journey of having an official diagnosis began. As anyone with a child or children on the spectrum can tell you the journey of living with the disorder neither begins or ends with this diagnosis. Even with two more of my daughters officially on the spectrum since that first diagnosis, I am still trying to figure out the advantages of having them labelled as such. I do appreciate being able to turn away those weird looks with the short explanation that my child has autism but since they are all high functioning, I can't help wondering if that explanation is enough for most people.
At any rate, I have been dealing with high need, high functioning children for almost twelve years now. My oldest daughter, Brittany, is turning twelve soon and has Asperger's and ADHD. Mary, my second, is 10 and has classic high functioning autism and Katherine is seven and has just recently been diagnosed with PDD-NOS. My youngest, Janet, is about to turn 5 and is as neuro-typical as you can get (thank heaven!).
I have started this blog really for my own sanity. I needed a place to write down the trials and triumphs of my life raising these wonderfully challenging children. I figured that if I did a blog then perhaps I might find some kindred spirits out there that could share in my journey.
At any rate, I have been dealing with high need, high functioning children for almost twelve years now. My oldest daughter, Brittany, is turning twelve soon and has Asperger's and ADHD. Mary, my second, is 10 and has classic high functioning autism and Katherine is seven and has just recently been diagnosed with PDD-NOS. My youngest, Janet, is about to turn 5 and is as neuro-typical as you can get (thank heaven!).
I have started this blog really for my own sanity. I needed a place to write down the trials and triumphs of my life raising these wonderfully challenging children. I figured that if I did a blog then perhaps I might find some kindred spirits out there that could share in my journey.
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